Battle begins for state’s seashore

Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 11:52 a.m.

THIBODAUX — The Louisiana Wildlife Federation wants to create a state seashore on the beaches of Fourchon and at Elmer’s Island for hikers and bathers to enjoy.

But the task won’t be easy.

Officials from the Edward Wisner Donation Trust, the group that owns most of Fourchon beach, is opposed.

They say doing so would derail a long-standing plan to restore the Caminada beaches and marshes as an environmental preserve with limited public access.

“We should concentrate on promoting the restoration of this area,” said Cathy Norman, secretary-treasurer and land manager for the Wisner Trust.

“It’s not happening,” Norman said of the Wildlife Federation’s plan. “It’s a pipe dream.”

The project favored by Norman and the trust will cost about $700 million dollars, would restore the western 2.3 miles of Caminada’s beach-head by fixing berms and dunes and creating marshes to stave off coastal erosion and maintain coastal habitats.

<p>THIBODAUX  The Louisiana Wildlife Federation wants to create a state seashore on the beaches of Fourchon and at Elmer’s Island for hikers and bathers to enjoy.</p><p>But the task won’t be easy.</p><p>Officials from the Edward Wisner Donation Trust, the group that owns most of Fourchon beach, is opposed.</p><p>They say doing so would derail a long-standing plan to restore the Caminada beaches and marshes as an environmental preserve with limited public access.</p><p>We should concentrate on promoting the restoration of this area, said Cathy Norman, secretary-treasurer and land manager for the Wisner Trust. </p><p>It’s not happening, Norman said of the Wildlife Federation’s plan. It’s a pipe dream.</p><p>The project favored by Norman and the trust will cost about $700 million dollars, would restore the western 2.3 miles of Caminada’s beach-head by fixing berms and dunes and creating marshes to stave off coastal erosion and maintain coastal habitats.</p><p>The Caminada is extremely vulnerable, losing 100 feet of shoreline last year, Norman said.</p><p>The project originally had a recreational element, she said, but cost considerations forced its elimination.</p><p>If the Wildlife Federation pushes for the state seashore, the implications could be dire, she said.</p><p>If he tries to do it right now, he’ll kill this project, Norman said. This is a strictly environmental project and there are limitations.</p><p>Randy Lanctot, the Wildlife Federation’s executive director, disagrees.</p><p>Lanctot said his organization’s plan, which includes managed public use of the 14 miles of beach between Caminada Pass and Belle Pass, would have little impact on the project.</p><p>The recreational component is nothing elaborate, Lanctot said. And it’s nothing expensive. They don’t have to do anything except build it in a way not to preclude a state seashore.</p><p>Lanctot said the opportunity to develop in conjunction with the Caminada restoration project would be a good thing.</p><p>The state seashore project would allow managed public uses, included fishing, crabbing, hiking, and bird watching, along the entire length of the shoreline.</p><p>All the areas, according to Lanctot, would be consistent with coastal-restoration and conservation laws.</p><p>The project plans say that amenities could be limited to trash cans and possibly a visitor’s complex near La. 3090 towards the Gulf of Mexico and near La. 1 at Elmer’s Island.</p><p>Additional construction could include a bath-house with toilets and showers, a parking area, and a sewage station. </p><p>But excessive building in the area isn’t something Lanctot wants.</p><p>It’s the ambience, Lanctot said. That’s the beauty of the area. The last thing you want is to build structures.</p><p>Louisiana Wildlife Federation requested the Coastal Protection Restoration Authority to consider the proposal at an August meeting.</p><p>Lanctot said his organization seeks legislation to designate the 14 miles of beach and as much land upward as possible a state seashore.</p><p>Management of the area would be a team effort involving local and state government, as well as both Grand Isle and the Greater Lafourche Port Commission.</p><p>We’re really trying to keep everyone on board, Lanctot said. We realize the landowners are a huge part of taking this opportunity and making it a success and we certainly want their cooperation.</p><p>Staff Writer Lloyd J. Nelson III can be reached at 448-7639 or lloyd.nelson@dailycomet.com. Follow him on Twitter as GovReporter.</p>